Our lives are busy and chaotic – from our jobs to cooking food to social activities. It probably seems like there’s never enough time to have your hearing checked. And perhaps you think it can wait because you don’t recognize you’re afflicted by hearing loss.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait:
1. Additional Hearing Loss Can be Avoided
Many individuals don’t appreciate how serious their hearing loss is becoming because it advances so gradually. Over time, they start compensating and making lifestyle changes without recognizing it. And because they don’t realize they have hearing loss, they continue to engage in activities that make their hearing loss worse.
But knowing is half the battle.
Having your hearing examined can be eye-opening. There is no way to undo any hearing loss you might already have, but you can slow its progression.
It will be helpful to know how to keep your moderate hearing loss from worsening.
Exercising, reducing your blood pressure, and managing chronic diseases more effectively can slow hearing loss advancement.
Reducing your exposure to loud noises and wearing earplugs during noisy activities will further protect your inner ears from additional damage.
2. You Don’t Even Know How Much You’re Missing
If you are dealing with moderate hearing loss, you may have slowly forgotten how much you enjoy listening to music. You may not remember what it’s like to have a discussion without asking family or friends to repeat themselves.
You may find yourself getting further away from doing your favorite things and spending time with friends.
Getting a hearing examination allows you to evaluate your degree of hearing loss. In the majority of situations, we can help you hear better.
3. You May Make Your Current Hearing Aid Experience Better
If you already use a hearing aid, you might not want to use it. You may not think they help very much. Having your hearing re-examined by a hearing specialist will help you learn if you have the right hearing aid for your kind and level of hearing loss and whether it’s correctly adjusted.
4. It’s Possible That You’re Already at Risk
Among adults between the ages of 55 and 64, 8.5% are experiencing debilitating hearing loss. Environmental factors are typically to blame. It’s not simply about getting old. Most of it is caused by exposure to loud noise.
If you engage in the following things, you’re at a higher risk:
- Mow the lawn
- Go to plays, movies, and concerts
- Ride loud vehicles such as a snowmobile, ATV, or motorcycle
- Listen to loud music or use earbuds
- Shoot firearms
- Work at a noisy job
Hearing loss can be caused by any of these common activities. You need to go have your hearing tested by a hearing professional as soon as possible if you detect a decline in your ability to hear regardless of how old you are.
5. It Will Benefit Your Total Health
If you neglect your hearing loss you will have a considerably higher risk of the following:
- Falls that result in injuries
- Depression
- Longer time spent in hospitals and rehab
- Dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Slow healing or repeated hospital visits
- Social isolation (preferring to be alone)
- Missing or skipping doctor appointments
- Anxiety
A hearing test is not only about your hearing.
6. Repair Strained Relationships
Neglected hearing loss can try the patience of your friends and family members. It’s more likely for misunderstandings to happen. People will get aggravated with the situation, including you. Bitterness and regret may be the result. Rather than continuously having to repeat what they said, family and friends might begin to exclude you from get-togethers.
But the good news is, getting your hearing checked will help repair stressed relationships and stop misunderstandings from happening again.